A Personal Matter

by Kenzaburo Oe
A Personal Matter cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
Buy online
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 11558
  • Added: 2026-03-10
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780802195449
  • Publisher: Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
  • Published: 2011-05-16
  • Reviews: 3

Kenzaburō Ōe's 'A Personal Matter' is a profound exploration of post-WWII Japan, capturing the societal rage and anxiety through the lens of a failing marriage and a devastating birth. Bird, an antisocial intellectual, grapples with his wife's delivery of a damaged baby, leading him to question his future and flee into a spiral of self-destruction and eventual self-discovery. This acclaimed novel is praised for its dark comedy and exploration of nuclear terror, offering a raw and unflinching look at the human condition. Ōe's powerful narrative and Bird's journey make this a compelling read that resonates with themes of shame, disgrace, and the search for meaning.

Reviews
The Storygraph · 2026-03-10
ruthless 3.50

The novel is flawlessly written but also ugly and ruthless. It delves into painful themes with a brutal honesty.

The reviewer commends the novel's flawless writing but also notes its brutal and ruthless nature. The story is painful to read, grappling with harsh realities and existential dread. The reviewer appreciates the raw honesty and the powerful exploration of human struggles. Despite its difficulty, the novel leaves a lasting impact with its unflinching portrayal of life's harshest truths.

Quick quotes

    It is flawlessly written.

    It's also ugly, and ruthless, and painful to read.

    It's about a man grappling with the reality that.

Maxwell Suzuki · Maxwell Suzuki · 2024-09-21
powerful 4.00

The narrative is powerful and terrifying, instilling violence and sex in a way that feels impactful.

Maxwell Suzuki finds the novel's use of violence and sex to be powerful and at times terrifying. The narrative's intensity leaves a strong impression, with moments that are both shocking and thought-provoking. The reviewer appreciates the boldness of the storytelling and the way it confronts the reader with uncomfortable truths. The novel's exploration of human nature is both compelling and unsettling, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Ōe instills violence and sex into this narrative that felt powerful and at times terrifying.

    The run in with the gang, the man who he'd searched.

    The narrative's intensity leaves a strong impression.

Vishy The Knight · Vishy · 2020-01-17
beautiful 4.50

The prose is beautifully written with many striking sentences. The story is deeply personal and thought-provoking.

Vishy highlights the exquisite prose and the emotional depth of the novel. They appreciate the beautiful sentences scattered throughout the story, which add to the overall impact. The novel's exploration of personal struggles and existential questions is deeply moving, making it a memorable read. The reviewer finds the narrative compelling and the themes resonant, making it a standout work by Kenzaburō Ōe.

Quick quotes

    I loved Kenzaburō Ōe's prose.

    There were so many beautiful sentences sprinkled throughout the story.

    The novel is deeply personal and thought-provoking.

Appears in Lists